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Once we were inside our quarters, Raven released a small spark of power. Instantly, we solidified and I nearly dropped her.
She extricated herself from my arms with a swift, fluid motion and backed away. Her body language was stiff.
The usual sexual haze typically brought on by ghosting with a non-Shadow was noticeably absent, leaving me in a state of confusion. Was I relieved or disappointed?
Uncertainty clouded my mind as I watched her retreat even further away. There was something distant about her gaze, perhaps a hint of sadness or regret. Either way, it left me feeling unsettled and unsure of what to do next.
"I will not remain a prisoner, Casimir."
"I know. I promise it's temporary."
"No!" her voice cracked like thunder. "Temporary or not, I will not be locked inside any room ever again!"
"You'll have run of the fortress, Little Bird."
She scoffed. "A bigger cage is still a cage."
Flames of frustration licked across my chest. "Then what do you propose?"
"Well, I was going to propose I help retrieve Kol before he causes some major problems."
"No fucking way."
Her pillowy lips tightened. "I agree but not because my mate thinks he can order me to stay put. I agree because, though diminished, that damned tracking spell still resides inside my veins. I'd never lead Sersha to Kol, no matter what he's up to."
I scrubbed at my jaw.
Raven's tone remained cool and crisp. "You might be my mate, Casimir, but that doesn't make you an alpha that I’ll allow to govern me."
I let the alpha comment go, presuming it stemmed from somewhere in her history with Nik. He couldn't hold onto her. He likely lost her the first time he treated her like she was a pack animal to be ruled, a mistake I would not repeat.
I reached out to smooth a wrinkle marring her golden-bronze skin. Her delicate fingers clasped around my wrist, halting my progress.
"Forgive me, Little Bird. The last thing I want is for you to ever feel like you're trapped, not with me."
I inched closer, slowly, praying she wouldn't force me to stop. "Please, allow me a moment to adjust to witnessing my mate being sliced open by a depraved monster. I'm not handling it well. Nor am I handling the fact I wasn't informed of that particular scar."
"Cas–"
"No, don't explain. You don't have to explain."
I studied her face and noticed a change in her brow, in how she held her shoulders and relaxed her neck–a slight crack in the façade she usually donned so well.
Lowering my forehead to hers, I made her a vow. "I would do anything to protect you, Raven. Anything. It's dangerous for others, the lengths I would go to for you."
Her scent changed, no longer the scent of righteous fury. It was the irresistible scent of her arousal. The weight holding me down lightened, replaced with a different sort of tightening.
The air between us was electrified with heat and magic. I found myself leaning closer, wishing to taste her. I wanted to make sure she knew it was true, that I'd do anything for her.
Raven seemed to understand my intent, for she leaned forward and closed the gap between us. Our lips touched and electric sparks danced across my body. She moaned softly into the kiss and I felt as if all of the world had dropped away around us. It was just me and my mate in this moment.
I moved my mouth along her neck, gently tracing circles with my tongue and feeling shivers ripple up and down her body as I did so. She moaned in response, my name on her lips like a prayer that begged to be answered.
Our clothes fell away easily until there was nothing between us but skin and desire, both of which were illuminated by the gentle glow of moonlight streaming through the windows.
I carried her to our giant bed and laid her down. Our mouths remained fused, our hands clenching one another tightly as if we were afraid to break the spell around us.
Something felt different this time. Unlike our earlier interludes, which were hurried and desperate, this was slow and deliberate, and all the more intense. For me, at least.
